CHICAGO (Feb. 24, 2014) – Former U.S. Women’s National Team midfielder Kristine Lilly and U.S. Men’s National Team forward Brian McBride have been elected to the National Soccer Hall of Fame. Joining the two former players in the Class of 2014 is former U.S. Men’s National Team and Major League Soccer head coach Bob Bradley on the Builder Ballot.

Lilly, one of the greatest soccer players in UNC history, starred on four NCAA championship teams from 1989-92, winning National Player of the Year honors in 1990 and 1991.  She played in only one loss during her UNC career and led the Heels to four ACC championships while being named a consensus first-team All-America.

Lilly, the sport’s all-time international caps leader, having played 352 games for the United States between 1987 and 2010, and McBride, who starred in three FIFA World Cups (1998, 2002 and 2006) for the U.S. MNT, are first-ballot Hall of Fame inductees. Bradley enters the Hall of Fame after 13 years of coaching soccer at the highest levels in the United States.

Lilly enters the Hall of Fame after a 24-year international career that included winning two of the five FIFA Women’s World Cups in which she played. A two-time Olympic gold medalist, Lilly played six seasons in domestic professional leagues, including five for the Boston Breakers in the Women’s United Soccer Association and Women’s Professional Soccer. Lilly continues to work in the game as Director of the Kristine Lilly Soccer Academy and an instructor for TeamFirst Soccer Academy.

“One of the most humbling parts of this is being inducted with so many of the greats that came before me,” said Lilly. “It’s always an honor to be recognized for something you’ve done, especially for something we did for so long on the U.S. team. It was amazing to wear that U.S. jersey for so long, and I’m forever grateful for the time I was able to play and really grateful for this honor.”

Established in 1950, the National Soccer Hall of Fame is dedicated to the sport of soccer in America by celebrating its history, preserving its legacy, inspiring its youth and honoring its heroes for generations to come.

Many thanks to U.S. Soccer for providing the links to the video features in this release.